The President of Hindu Samaj Bangkok, Ramesh Arora, shares the inside track on how his team works to keep the community close-knit.

My journey has been a challenging one, but I have no complaints—it’s all been part of the learning process. I started my career with Thai Airways International as a cabin crew in the 80s. After about seven years, I was promoted to purser, and later, I gradually advanced to the position of in-flight manager, a role I held for nearly 15 years. Altogether, I dedicated 32 consecutive years to Thai Airways, working as a steward, purser, and in-flight manager without any job changes or interruptions. Safe to say, I loved my job. After retiring from my airline career in my 50s as part of the firm’s early retirement plan, I transitioned naturally into teaching. I became an English instructor to airline students, focusing on aviation-specific terminology, some of which is used exclusively in-flight. Over time, I realised that teaching is one of my greatest passions. I also teach aspects of in-flight services and the ground system, which I have a solid understanding of. Eventually, I got an opportunity to teach at Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, Bangkok. They invited me to join their faculty because of my academic background — I hold degrees in aviation and tourism. I accepted the role, and I am still teaching there today. I’m also currently working on my PhD.

This is my fourth year here, and it has been a long, enriching journey of gaining deeper insights on various fronts. One of the highlights has been my ability to visit Dev Mandir every Sunday. When I worked for Thai Airways, I couldn’t choose weekends because of shift work. Now, post-retirement, I dedicate my time to Seva. I staunchly believe that when God gives us a chance, we should take it. If he is guiding us to do something, why not follow his call? Every Sunday, I help in whatever way I can. When my wife and I return home, we thank God for the opportunity to serve. Before becoming president of the Hindu Samaj at Dev Mandir, I viewed this place as sacred — a place of worship and reverence. If you choose to devote yourself, you must be willing to put in the effort. When God gave me the opportunity to stand as president, I accepted, following not only his voice but also the support of my colleagues and the community.

I knew it would be challenging, but I embraced the opportunity, especially as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Hindu Samaj. Leading this celebration is an honour. It’s not an easy task. People often ask what we have planned for the centennial, and while there’s much that can be done, we want to ensure that the occasion is memorable yet meaningful.

One of the first changes will be to the entrance gate—a redesigned landmark to commemorate the milestone. I established a committee to ensure this effort is a collective one, not just my own undertaking. We now have a 100-year committee with another chairman overseeing the work.

The celebration will officially begin on 30 April 2025, though preparations started earlier. We have already hosted Mahashivratri, featuring 108 Shivlings—an unprecedented event in Bangkok, drawing 400-500 participants. Next, we will hold Vishnu Purana from April 23rd to April 30th, inviting a priest from India to lead the ceremony. We will also organise a Maha Aarti, similar to the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, with nine priests from India, which will be held at Thai Navy Convention Hall. Ministers, dignitaries, embassy representatives, and cultural figures will be invited. Following the Maha Aarti, we will focus on in-house events at Dev Mandir, including Navratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Janmashtami, and Shiva Puja. Our goal is to make these events more significant across communities without unnecessary extravagance.

It’s not a one-man show. Teamwork is crucial, and that requires aligning with people who may or may not share the same views. One of the biggest challenges is continuously engaging the community and ensuring participation. For example, we expect 400-500 attendees for the Maha Aarti. Besides Indian attendees, we actively encourage Thai participation. Half of our Mahashivratri attendees were Thai, which, in fact, greatly enriched the overall success of the event.

As parents, we want our children to be involved. However, a major disconnect is the language barrier—many young people don’t understand Hindi fluently. When they attend Parvachan, (sermon) they struggle to grasp the message. Some suggest translation, but it’s not a sustainable solution.

I understand that young people have different priorities, and I respect that. The key is instilling a sense of belonging and respect for their roots. While attending every event may not be possible, developing an understanding of our religion is invaluable. Parents play a crucial role in this.

We offer our space for various ceremonies, including Hindu weddings. Nepalese families often seek a venue for gatherings, and our hall provides an affordable alternative to expensive venues in Thailand. However, we are also receiving bookings from Thai people for promotions and award ceremonies. Destination weddings are already well-known among Punjabis, but the Nepalese still seek a place where they can gather. They come to us for events because they know that booking with us is more affordable compared to other venues. They use our smaller function rooms for these events, and we keep our charges reasonable. Our goal is not profit but community engagement. By hosting events here, people visit the Mandir and connect with its purpose.

Absolutely. We should celebrate festivals like Diwali and Dussehra in a more inclusive way, collaborating with other communities and religions. Instead of doing everything independently, we can involve others, creating unity while respecting individual faiths. In my years of service, and most recently as president, I have learned that teamwork and taking the initiative to stay connected make all the difference. I’m confident that if we create a welcoming environment for everyone and remain flexible in catering to a variety of needs, people will come to us and use our services, regardless of their faith.